摘要
Abstract
Objective:In the context of artificial intelligence(AI)technologies becoming deeply embedded in the dig-ital communication ecology,the symbolic reconfiguration of the human body has gained increasing prominence,with obesity imagery emerging as a focal point in algorithmically curated short video content.This study investigates how AI-enabled"fat transformation"functions contribute to the visual and symbolic reproduction of obesity stigma,and how such technologically mediated portrayals reinforce aesthetic hierarchies and discriminatory social perceptions.Methods:Drawing on the Stigma Management Communication(SMC)framework,the study employed a qualitative methodology-primarily in-depth interviews and digital ethnography-to analyze data collected from 60 short video user accounts and 48 individuals experiencing obesity-related stigma on platforms such as Douyin between October 2023 and January 2024.The analysis was guided by the"marking,""responsibility,"and"social danger"dimensions of the Message-Based Stigma Communication(MSC)model.Results:The findings revealed that AI visual technolo-gies constructed a structural algorithmic mechanism of stigma reproduction,characterized by facial occlusion,exag-gerated bodily distortion,and algorithmic reinforcement of dominant aesthetic norms.These mechanisms contributed to the objectification and marginalization of obese individuals,while simultaneously normalizing stigmatizing narra-tives such as"fat equals failure"or"fat equals disease."In response,stigmatized individuals adopted coping strate-gies such as passive avoidance,talent-based compensation,and self-empowerment,with social support and counter-discursive expression proving especially effective in mitigating psychological harm.Conclusion:The study concludes that AI-driven media technologies are not neutral tools but constitute structural variables in the propagation of stig-ma.It further argues that platform-level algorithmic governance,discursive regulation,and ethical design interven-tions are necessary to counteract the mediatized amplification of body-related stigma and to foster a more inclusive digital communication environment.By localizing and extending the theoretical scope of the SMC framework,this re-search offers both conceptual innovation and practical implications for digital media governance in the age of intelli-gent visual technologies.关键词
人工智能技术/虚拟身体/肥胖污名/污名管理沟通模型Key words
AI technology/Virtual embodiment/Obesity stigma/Stigma management communication分类
医药卫生
